The Suffering Servant
He is the one who will bring salvation, comfort, and the forgiveness of sins. He is the theme of this second section of the book of Isaiah.
This same designation "servant" is used in four songs or prophecies of the Servant in this second section of the book of Isaiah.
The so-called “servant songs” in 42:1-9, 49:1-13, 50:4-11, and 52:13–53:12 present an increasingly clear prophetic view of the coming Messiah’s role as the Savior not only of Israel but indeed of those from every tribe, tongue, nation, and people who look to God in faith (see 49:6). Isaiah 53:1-12 in particular describes with uncanny precision the sacrificial death and victorious resurrection that Jesus Christ later experienced on behalf of sinners. (ETB Commentary)
The 27 Chapters of the second section are divided into three divisions of 9 chapters each in terms of subject
- Salvation from the Babylonian captivity. Chapters 40 - 48
- Salvation from sin. At the very center, is the Suffering Servant, Chapters 49 - 57
- Salvation from the cursed earth. Chapters 58 - 66
In chapter 53 we find the Suffering Servant. The context of the passage actually begins in Isa 52:13.
The entire section from Isa 52:13 to Isa 53:12 is a vivid description of the sufferings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Israel was Jehovah’s servant in that the nation was used of God to bring the Word and the Savior to the world. However, Israel was a disobedient servant that had to be chastened. Jesus Christ is the true Servant of Jehovah who died for the world and perfectly did His Father’s will. (Wiersbe's Expository Outlines)
The middle division of the second section of the book which deals with salvation from sin runs from chapter 49 to 57. The Jews would ask, "why do we need a savior from sin?"
- The Jews were not convinced that they needed a savior. They thought they just needed a righteous King.
- They thought that by virtue of their Abrahamic descent, by virtue of the Covenants and the promises that they were in the place of blessing
- The believed through acts of their own goodness and by virtue of their efforts at religious activities, ceremonies, rituals, and attempts to obey the Law of God, that they had earned their favor with God.
- Isaiah gives a message about a savior who will deliver us from our sins so that we escape eternal hell and enter into God's Eternal presence.
So the centerpiece section of these three sections of nine chapters shows salvation from sin for the people of God, Jew and Gentile. And it’s going to come through the Servant who will be the Savior sent from God.
- In the middle section chapter 49 to 57, the middle chapters are 52 and 53.
- The middle verse of Isa 52:13 to Isa 53:12 is verse 5,
Middle section, middle chapter, middle of the chapter, middle verse, 8 verses down, or 8 verses up...Right in the middle:
(Isa 53:5) But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. (ESV)
The Centerpiece
The central theme of the Salvation and Grace section of Isaiah's prophesy is right there in the center verse of the center section and it focuses down in verse 53:5 on the substitutionary piercing of the Servant of Jehovah for us.
